Bow Stabilizer Assembly

ABSTRACT

A bow stabilizer assembly for stabilizing an archery bow having a hand grip on a riser portion of the bow, the bow stabilizer assembly including a rod having a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end of the rod connects to the riser portion at a location spaced above the hand grip. The bow stabilizer assembly further includes a bow stick mounting assembly comprising a bracket rotatably connected to the rod, a pivot connected to the bracket and extending below and perpendicular to the rod, and a coupling connected to the pivot and having a distal end that is movable toward and away from the bow. A bow stick assembly may be connected to the coupling to use in combination with the bow stabilizer assembly.

FIELD OF DISCLOSURE

This disclosure relates generally to archery devices, and moreparticularly to a bow stabilizer assembly for counteracting movement ofa bow when shooting an arrow. The bow stabilizer assembly also mayinclude a bow stick mounting assembly to further assist in stabilizing abow.

BACKGROUND

When gripping a bow, aiming and shooting an arrow, vibration and torqueapplied to the hand grip can cause inaccuracy of the shot. This can bemore severe, depending on whether the bow is a compound bow, the way inwhich the bow is gripped, the strength of the archer with respect tosupporting a bow in a free bow hand and the desired shot distance. Atclose range or when using less than a full draw, the torqueing,vibration and resulting inaccuracy may not be very extreme. However,this is not the case when shooting a longer distance.

Generally, long distance bow hunting has been frowned upon and therehave not been desirable solutions for achieving enhanced accuracy inshooting a substantial distance, such as over 40 yards. However, inrecent years, interest has increased in shooting longer distances, suchas for target practice. In such instances, the torque applied to the bowand the vibration and noise when shooting is exacerbated and can causeunsteadiness that results in an arrow straying a few feet or more fromthe intended target.

Prior art stabilizers for bows commonly are configured to extend forwardfrom a mounting position on the face of the riser and below the handgrip. The stabilizers are intended to reduce noise and vibration, byincreasing the inertia of the bow, and ultimately to resist movement.However, the common low, fixed, forward extending configuration for bowstabilizers appears to have limited potential to dampen bow movementthat is due to torqueing the bow, especially when shooting greaterdistances or with the bow in more extreme shooting positions. Inaddition, use of bow sticks or a leg extending straight downward from abow to help stabilize and support a bow have not been particularlyadvantageous because they tend to lack adjustability and limit theposition of the bow when aiming. As such, they tend to be ineffective inresisting torqueing of the bow. Accordingly, there is a continuing needfor improved stabilization of a bow to improve accuracy by resistance totorqueing of the bow and enhanced support for a bow, especially ifelecting to shoot greater distances.

SUMMARY

The scope of the present disclosure is defined solely by the appendedclaims, and nothing in this summary is intended to limit the claims.Moreover, there are aspects of the present subject matter that may beembodied separately or together in various bow stabilizer assemblies.These aspects may be employed alone or in combination with other aspectsof the subject matter described herein and the description of theseaspects together is not intended to preclude use of these aspectsseparately or the claiming of such aspects separately or in differentcombinations, as set forth in the claims appended hereto.

The present disclosure addresses one or more disadvantages of the priorart and provides effective bow stabilizer assembly arrangements capableof providing improved bow stability and resistance to movement whenshooting an arrow. Indeed, in addition to providing noise and vibrationsuppression, the devices provide improvements with respect to resistanceto torqueing of a bow, and ability to adjust directional resistance totorqueing of a bow, as well as providing a bow stick mounting assemblythat when used in combination with a bow stick assembly provides morefluid support for a bow when aiming and shooting an arrow.

In one aspect, this disclosure provides a bow stabilizer assembly forstabilizing an archery bow having a hand grip on a riser portion of thebow, the bow stabilizer assembly including a rod having a proximal endand a distal end. The proximal end of the rod connects to the riserportion at a location spaced above the hand grip. The bow stabilizerassembly further includes a bow stick mounting assembly comprising abracket rotatably connected to the rod, a pivot connected to the bracketand extending below and perpendicular to the rod, and a couplingconnected to the pivot and having a distal end that is movable towardand away from the bow.

In accordance with another aspect, a bow stick assembly may be connectedto the coupling to use in combination with the bow stabilizer assembly.The bow stick assembly may be rotatable relative to the coupling. Thebow stick assembly may provide further support while stabilizing the bowand permitting more fluid ability to aim and shoot the bow.

The novel and nonobvious structures disclosed herein allow for uniqueadvantages in bow stabilization with respect to bow torqueing, noise andvibration, as well as enhanced support, and present variousconfigurations to provide desired features for end users.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In describing the preferred embodiments, reference is made to theaccompanying drawing figures wherein like parts have like referencenumerals, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a bow stabilizer assembly connected to a bow,including a bow stick mounting assembly and a bow stick assemblyconnected thereto.

FIG. 2 is a side view of bow stabilizer assembly of FIG. 1 , without thebow stick assembly.

FIG. 3 is a closer view of the bow stabilizer assembly of FIG. 2 .

FIG. 4 is a closer side perspective view of the bow stabilizer assemblyof FIG. 1 , with the bow stick assembly.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the bow stabilizer assembly, with the bow stickassembly in a folded position.

FIG. 6 is a closer front perspective view of the bow stabilizer assemblyof FIGS. 1-5 , with the bow stick assembly in a folded position.

FIG. 7 is a closer front perspective view of the bow stabilizer assemblyof FIGS. 1-6 with a damper removed.

FIG. 8 is a closer front perspective view of a bow riser portion havingan opening above the hand grip for mounting of a bow stabilizerassembly.

FIG. 9 is a closer lower perspective view of a first connector thatconnects to a coupling of the bow stick mounting assembly.

FIG. 10 is closer upper perspective view of a second connector thatconnects a bow stick assembly to the first connector of the bow stickmounting assembly.

FIG. 11 is a side view of the bow stick assembly of FIGS. 1 and 5 .

FIG. 12 is a side view of the bow stick assembly of FIG. 11 in a foldedposition.

It should be understood that the drawings are not to scale. While somedetails of bow stabilizing assemblies and other plan and section viewsof the particular components have not been included, such details areconsidered to be within the comprehension of those of skill in the artin light of the present disclosure. It also should be understood thatthe present invention is not limited to the examples illustrated.

DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

Although the following discloses examples of bow stabilizer assemblies,persons of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the teachingsof this disclosure are in no way limited to the specific examples shown.On the contrary, it is contemplated that the teachings of thisdisclosure may be implemented in alternative configurations, withalternative materials.

In general, the example bow stabilizer assemblies described hereinfacilitate convenient enhanced stabilization when aiming and shooting abow. FIGS. 1-12 show advantageous examples of such bow stabilizerassemblies.

FIGS. 1-12 illustrate an example bow stabilizer assembly 10 forstabilizing an archery bow 12 having a hand grip 14 on a riser portion16 of the bow 12. The bow stabilizer assembly 10 includes a rod 18having a proximal end 20 and a distal end 22. The proximal end 20 of therod 18 connects to the riser portion 16 at a location spaced above thehand grip 14. The bow stabilizer assembly 10 also includes a bow stickmounting assembly 30 including a bracket 32 rotatably connected to therod 18, a pivot 34 connected to the bracket 32 and extending below andperpendicular to the rod 18, and a coupling 36 connected to the pivot 34and having a distal end 38 that is movable toward and away from the bow12.

The connection of the proximal end 20 of the rod 18 to the riser portion16 may, for example, include an opening 40 in the riser portion 16 thatdirectly receives the proximal end 20 of the rod 18 opening 40.Alternatively, the opening 40 may receive a fitting 42 that receives theproximal end 20 of the rod 18. It will be appreciated that the openingmay receive such a fitting 42, as shown in FIG. 8 . The fitting 42 maythreadably receive a threaded proximal end of the rod or a complementaryfitting that holds the proximal end 20 of the rod 18 and permitsadjustment of the rotational position of the rod 18 relative to theriser portion 16 of the bow 12. The rod 18 of the bow stabilizerassembly 10 accordingly may be removably connected to the riser portion16. While the rod 18 alternatively may have a single or multiplerotational (angular) positions relative to the riser portion 16, it isadvantageous to permit rotation of the rod 18 relative to the riserportion 16 with sufficient friction or detent positions to hold the rod18 in virtually any selected rotational position. As discussed furtherherein, this permits unique adjustment relative to directional torqueingof the bow 12.

As may be best seen in FIGS. 3 and 6 , a backstop 46 is located on therod 18, and the bracket 32 is located between the backstop 46 and thedistal end 22 of the rod 18. The bow stabilizer assembly 10 may includeat least one damper 48 connected to a distal portion 50 of the rod 18.In the present example, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 , the damper 48includes multiple components, such as a first rearward damper 48 a andsecond forward damper 48 b, and is threadably connected to the distalend 22 of the rod 18. However, it will be appreciated that the rod 18may support multiple separate dampers connected to a rod threadably orby other suitable means. Also, the backstop 46 is located on the rod 18,and the bracket 32 is located between the backstop 46 and the at leastone damper 48. Thus, the bracket 32 may rotate about a longitudinal axisof at least a portion of the rod 18, here the distal portion 50, and itsrelative movement along the rod 18 is blocked rearward by the backstop46 and forward by the at least one damper 48. However, it will beappreciated that a bracket may be rotatably (including pivotally)connect to the rod in a different manner, and that movement along therod also may be controlled by alternative structures.

Another unique feature of the present example bow stabilizer assembly10, as may be seen in FIGS. 1-6 , is that the rod 18 has a plurality ofbends and the distal portion 50 extends forward from and at a heightbelow the proximal end 20 of the rod 28 such that the distal end 22 ofthe rod 18 is in front of at least a portion of the hand grip 14. Thisprovides an advantage by which rotation of the rod 18 relative to theriser portion 16 provides selected directional resistance to torqueingof the bow 12. It will be appreciated that this occurs upon rotating therod 18 to displace the distal portion 50 and damper 48, if so equipped,to the left or right of its neutral bottom dead center location. Thus,the bow stabilizer assembly 10 permits custom tuning to resist twistingor other torqueing of the bow 12 by adjusting the rotational position ofthe rod 18.

As seen in FIGS. 1, 4-7 and 11-12 , the bow stabilizer assembly 10 maybe used in combination with a bow stick assembly 60 that connects to thecoupling 36. In this example, the bracket 32 is rotatable relative tothe rod 18 and may rotate about an axis along a length of the distalportion 50 of the rod 18. The pivot 34 allows pivoting of the coupling36 toward and away from the bow 12, such that a bow stick assembly 60may be pivoted toward or away from a lower portion of the bow 12. Inaddition, the bow stick assembly 60 is rotatable relative to thecoupling 36. This is provided by the coupling 36 having a firstconnector 62 and a proximal end 64 of the bow stick assembly 60 having asecond connector 66 that is rotatable relative to the first connector 62about a common axis though the first connector 62 and second connector66.

As may best be seen in FIGS. 3-4, 6-7, 9-10 and 12 , in the presentexample, the first connector 62 is in the form of a hub and the secondconnector 66 is in the form of a hub receiver that receives and isrotatable relative to the hub. As may be seen in the examples of a firstconnector 62 in the form of a hub and the second connector 66 in theform of a hub receiver, the connectors may have a quick connect anddisconnect configuration. This provides advantageous convenience inconnecting and disconnecting the bow stick assembly 60 relative to thebow 12 when transporting, using and/or stowing the bow 12 and bow stickassembly 60. However, it will be appreciated that the first and secondconnectors could have alternative structures by which they would bepermanently rotatably or fixedly joined, or may have a quick connect anddisconnect configuration but not be rotatable relative to each other.

As shown, the bow stick assembly 60 and first connector 62 essentiallyutilizes components from a rifle support known as the Stoney Point®Rapid Pivot Folding Bipod. However, the inventor is not aware of apreviously known way in which one could utilize such components to be abow stick assembly and to provide the advantages provided by the bowstabilizer assembly 10 and the bow stick mounting assembly 30. Moreover,it will be appreciated that the example bow stick assembly 60 is anexample of a bow stick assembly that may be combined for use with thebow stabilizer assembly 10. However, one will appreciate that variousdifferent first connectors and bow stick assemblies having secondconnectors may be utilized, whether having one or more sticks, so as toprovide a monpod, bipod, tripod or other supporting structure. Indeed,the bow stick assembly may take many different forms.

The bow stick assembly 60 shown in combination with the bow stabilizerassembly 10 in the present example includes a bipod having two elongatedsticks 70 having proximal ends 72 that are pivotally connected. Asillustrated, the elongated sticks 70 are pivotally connected to eachother and to the second connector 66, which is the hub receiver in thisexample. The elongated sticks 70 of the example bow stick assembly 60also are foldable, by having slidably receivable connectors that arelinked by resilient cords. It will be appreciated that the elongatedsticks 70 may be of any desired length or be length adjustable, so as toprovide bow support when a person is standing or kneeling, or forpersons of different heights. The elongated sticks 70 may be rigid butit has been found to be more advantageous to have the elongated sticks70 of the bow stick assembly 60 be flexible. This permits more bodymovement, whether forward or rearward, set high or low, and/or leaningside to side, and more variability when aiming.

The multiple pivot axes effectively provided by the bow stabilizerassembly 10 and the bow stick mounting assembly 30 enable multiplestabilizing adjustments including resistance to torqueing, reduced noiseand vibration and support that facilitates more fluid and dynamicmovement when aiming a bow. Thus, it is highly advantageous to have theability to change the rotational position and thereby tune the dampingprovided by the rod 18 (with or without a damper element connectedthereto), to rotate the bow 12 and rod 18 relative to the bracket 32 ofthe bow stick mounting assembly 30, and to pivot the bow 12 and rod 18about the pivot 34 so as to permit angular adjustment of the coupling 36that is connected to the bow stick assembly 60. The bow stick assembly60 shown also provides for rotation of the first connector 62 relativeto the second connector 66, to turn side-to-side relative to theposition of the elongated sticks 70 having distal ends in contact withthe ground.

Although described in terms of preferred and alternative examples, thepresent subject matter may be employed in other configurations and withother materials without departing from the principles of the subjectmatter as described above and as set forth in the following claims.

From the description of the above examples, it will be furtherunderstood that this disclosure provides bow stabilizer assemblies thatmay incorporate many advantages over the prior art. Reduced torqueingprovides enhanced accuracy and inclusion of the bow stick mountingassembly facilitates use of bow sticks to provide enhanced support of abow while permitting more fluid aiming.

Thus, the foregoing detailed description and accompanying drawings havebeen provided by way of explanation and illustration and are notintended to limit the scope of the appended claims. Many variations inthe presently preferred examples illustrated herein will be apparent toone of ordinary skill in the art, and remain within the scope of theappended claims and their equivalents.

1. A bow stabilizer assembly for stabilizing an archery bow having ahand grip on a riser portion of the bow, the bow stabilizer assemblycomprising: a rod having a proximal end and a distal end; the proximalend of the rod connects to the riser portion at a location spaced abovethe hand grip; and a bow stick mounting assembly comprising a bracketrotatably connected to the rod, a pivot connected to the bracket andextending below and perpendicular to the rod, and a coupling connectedto the pivot and having a distal end that is movable toward and awayfrom the bow.
 2. The bow stabilizer assembly of claim 1, wherein theproximal end of the rod connects to an opening in the riser portion. 3.The bow stabilizer assembly of claim 1, wherein the rod is rotatablyadjustable relative to the riser portion.
 4. The bow stabilizer assemblyof claim 3, wherein resistance to torqueing of the bow is adjustable viarotational adjustment of the rod relative to the riser portion.
 5. Thebow stabilizer assembly of claim 1, wherein a backstop is located on therod, and the bracket is located between the backstop and the distal endof the rod.
 6. The bow stabilizer assembly of claim 1, furthercomprising at least one damper connected to a distal portion of the rod.7. The bow stabilizer assembly of claim 1, wherein the rod has aplurality of bends and a distal portion that extends forward from and ata height below the proximal end of the rod such that the distal end ofthe rod is directly in front of at least a portion of the hand grip. 8.The bow stabilizer assembly of claim 7, wherein rotation of the rodrelative to the riser portion provides selected directional resistanceto torqueing of the bow.
 9. The bow stabilizer assembly of claim 1 incombination with a bow stick assembly, wherein the bow stick assemblyconnects to the coupling.
 10. The bow stabilizer assembly of claim 9,wherein the bow stick assembly is rotatable relative to the coupling.11. The bow stabilizer assembly of claim 9, wherein the coupling furthercomprises a first connector and a proximal end of the bow stick assemblyfurther comprises a second connector that is rotatable relative to thefirst connector.
 12. The bow stabilizer assembly of claim 11, whereinthe first connector further comprises a hub and the second connectorfurther comprises a hub receiver that receives and is rotatable relativeto the hub.
 13. The bow stabilizer assembly of claim 11, wherein thefirst connector and the second connector have a quick connect anddisconnect configuration.
 14. The bow stabilizer assembly of claim 9,wherein the bow stick assembly further comprises a bipod including twoelongated sticks having proximal ends that are pivotally connected. 15.The bow stabilizer assembly of claim 14, wherein the elongated sticks ofthe bow stick assembly are foldable.
 16. The bow stabilizer assembly ofclaim 14, wherein the elongated sticks of the bow stick assembly areflexible.
 17. A bow stabilizer assembly for stabilizing an archery bowhaving a hand grip on a riser portion of the bow, the bow stabilizerassembly comprising: a rod having a proximal end and a distal end; theproximal end of the rod connects to the riser portion at a locationspaced above the hand grip; and wherein the rod has a plurality of bendsand a distal portion that extends forward from and at a height below theproximal end of the rod such that the distal end of the rod is directlyin front of at least a portion of the hand grip.
 18. The bow stabilizerassembly of claim 17, wherein the proximal end of the rod connects to anopening in the riser portion and the rod is rotatably adjustablerelative to the riser portion.
 19. The bow stabilizer assembly of claim18, wherein resistance to torqueing of the bow is adjustable viarotational adjustment of the rod relative to the riser portion.
 20. Thebow stabilizer assembly of claim 17, further comprising a bow stickmounting assembly comprising a bracket rotatably connected to the rod, apivot connected to the bracket and extending below and perpendicular tothe rod, and a coupling connected to the pivot and having a distal endthat is movable toward and away from the bow.